Bridge fund refuels ‘Astro Boy’ film

Adaptation of '60s toon back on track

TOKYO — The U.S. film adaptation of “Astro Boy,” the iconic 1960s Japanese toon about a robot boy and his scientist “father,” is back on track after producer Imagi Entertainment temporarily suspended production.

The company’s U.S. prexy, Erin Corbett, said Tuesday that the company had to shut down its U.S. operations for a week because bridge financing hadn’t come through on time. The coin, however, is now in place and will carry the company until funding from private equity companies arrives Tuesday.

The pic, helmed by David Bowers, with a voice cast that includes Nicolas Cage, Bill Nighy, Freddie Highmore, Eugene Levy, Donald Sutherland and Kristen Bell, is skedded for release Oct. 23, with Summit Entertainment distribbing in the U.S.

Created by manga and anime legend Osamu Tezuka, whose Tezuka Prods. is a co-producer on the pic, “Astro Boy” was a pioneering TV toon that aired in Japan from 1963 to 1966, while becoming a favorite with U.S. Baby Boomers.